Washington State Expecting Smaller Apple Crop
October 12, 2020 Washington state, the leading apple producer with 65% of the fresh apples grown in the U.S., is expecting a smaller crop this year. According to the Washington Apple Commission, as the state’s growers reached the midway point of harvest, they observed an approximately 10% lighter crop load on the trees than the original estimate released in August.
The first forecast, released by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association on Aug. 1, had predicted a 134-million-box (40 lb.) crop based on grower estimates. Apple harvest begins in August and ends in early November. Currently, growers and orchard crews are about 70% through picking.
At the Washington Apple Commission Board of Directors virtual meeting on Oct. 8, industry members discussed the progress of the crop and contributing factors to the lower volume; alternate bearing season lightening the number of apples per tree, a recent windstorm, and more selective sort-picking happening in the orchard as growers work to improve pack outs in the warehouse.
“It is the growing consensus that the 2020 apple crop will be lower than earlier published estimates. This can be attributed to both a reduction in the quantity of bulk bins harvested, as well as lower conversion yields to packed boxes,” says James Foreman, Chairman for the Washington Apple Commission Board of Directors.
Sizing appears to be smaller this year compared to last season as well, but it is region-dependent. Washington’s growing regions are spread along the state’s major river from the bottom of the state to the Canadian border.
The apple category is experiencing an uptick in demand due to COVID-19 bringing health and nutrition to the forefront in the minds of consumers, and as result, an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption.
The 1,260 apple growers in the state produce eight core varieties: ‘Gala’, ‘Red Delicious’, ‘Fuji’, ‘Honeycrisp’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Cripps Pink’, ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Cosmic Crisp’. Over 50 other “club” or proprietary varieties are also grown in Washington. In addition to being the top producer of apples in the country, Washington represents 85% of all U.S. organic apple production. Apples are the No. 1-produced commodity in Washington and have a $3 billion state economic impact.
Subscribe Today For
